Last Tuesday, several members of the public reported noticing a strange coloured substance in the water opposite TK Maxx, while some others commented on a putrid smell emitting from the water. When contacted by this newspaper, a spokesperson from the Environment Section of Wexford County Council said that they would investigate the situation immediately and soon reverted back with a response.

'They are putting in new surface water drains at the new Loreto school at present. These lead into the small river at Bishopswater and this then leads out to Wexford Quay.

We believe that it is more than likely that some clay got into the pipe and this caused the discolouration of the water,' said Senior Executive Scientist in the Wexford County Council Environment Section Brendan Cooney.

Mr Cooney said that they did not receive any reports from members of the public on the matter but said that they always encourage people to contact them if they have environmental concerns.